A "Ray" of Newfoundland Sunshine

This week Joey and Ray had a grand reunion.

That's what I like to think anyways.

Ray Guy, an outstanding satirist, humorist and full-fledged Newfoundlander finished his life journey here this week.

The brilliant words he left behind will forever be our treasures.
Many of those razor-sharp, sinful saucy and yet eloquent words were directed at former premier Joey Smallwood.  Guy was quoted as never having known Joey personally, but he did enjoy inflicting lashings him on a weekly basis in his columns.

There have been many wonderful tributes to this great Newfoundland soul since his passing. Even the current Government sent out a press release - not by the Premier herself mind you, but by a mere Minister of the crown.

Odd again, that this Government did not read a more personal Ministerial Statement into the House of Assembly this week. Why did this tremendous and beloved Newfoundland writer not deserve such an honour? 

Perhaps there is a legitimate reason. But perhaps it speaks to their usual lack of class and small mindedness that they could not use the honourable House to honour Ray Guy's life narrative - especially given politics was the prime target with his ouch pen.

If Joey had outlived Ray, he surely would have stood proudly in the Legislature and presented a message of condolence and recognition -notwithstanding the many lacerations Guy inflicted on Joey's political body by acting as his unofficial "opposition" and keeping the Premier accountable throughout his reign. 

Which is why I imagine Joey's glee in seeing his nemesis coming to the heavenly Legislature to enlighten the proceedings. I envision the two of them smiling, winking and nodding in an unspoken language of  "Let the good games begin again!"

I did not have the pleasure to know Guy personally, but I did read some of his columns through the years and enjoyed his play (which has since been made into a movie) in the 80s "Young Triffie's Been Made Away With." As is true with most of life, I wished I had paid more attention...

But I, like many others, will be aiming to read all that is Ray Guy. His language and his humour were like no other in that they made us more intimate and in love with our collective Newfoundland soul and uniqueness each time we read his work.

And reflecting on the life of the iconic Ray Guy on a cold and wet May 24th iconic weekend, I am blessed with a rare Ray of Sunshine - such was his gift ...